THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Chapter 6, Section 2
Roman Republic Collapses
Expansion = republican government becoming unstable
Discontent among lower class
Economic Turmoil and Military Upheaval
100 B.C.- 1/3 of Rome’s pop. was enslaved persons
Competition among farms Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus Generals seized power
New loyal soldiers, not loyal to the republic
Julius Caesar Takes Control
60 B.C.: joined forces with Crassus and Pomey
Elected to consul in 59 B.C. Triumvirate Disagreements with Pompey 44 B.C.: named dictator for life
Caesar’s Reforms
Absolute ruler Opened up citizenship Expanded the senate Created more jobs Assassination plot Caesar’s death
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Section 2
Beginning of the Empire
Civil War Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus Octavian vs. Mark Antony Cleopatra Octavian = Augustus
Important Facts
Cleopatra: b. 69 B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt; d. 30 B.C.
Daughter of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII Auletes Married her younger brother Ptolemy
XIII, after his death married her younger brother Ptolemy XIV; later married Mark Antony
Was the last pharaoh of Egypt; Rome took control of Egypt after her death
Committed suicide after Mark Antony
Vast and Powerful Empire
207 years, peace throughout the empire Pax Romana- “Roman Peace” 3 million square miles
A Sound Government
Efficient government Augustus
Stabilized the frontier Public buildings Civil service
Died in 14 A.D. Spain to Mesopotamia, N. Africa to
Britain
Roman Empire
Agriculture and Trade
Agriculture was the most important industry
Common coinage (denaruius) Vast trade network Complex road system
Road System
The Roman World
Values Discipline, strength,
and loyalty Honored strength more
than beauty Power more than grace Usefulness more than
elegance Living on the
countryside Living in Rome and
smaller cities
Slaves and Captivity
Significant part of Roman life Most were conquered peoples Roman law: slaves were property Cities and farms Gladiators No slave revolt was successful
More than 1 million died trying to gain freedom
Gods and Goddesses
Numina Lares- guardian spirits Government and religion linked
Deities were symbols of the state Jupiter Juno Minerva
Society and Culture
Large gap between social groups Colosseum Rise of Christianity